Feedback

An honor to know him

It is wonderful that no matter where we travel or live in the world we have contact with the Church through the New Era. We returned to Canada from New Zealand two years ago in time to meet Stephen Farrance, whom you published an article about in the May New Era. I was called as president of the Young Women in the Vancouver First Ward, and we participated in Stephen’s roadshow. It was an honor to know him and feel his enthusiasm. Thank you for an inspiring and touching article.

Joyce Gerstner
North Burnaby
British Columbia, Canada

Wealth family style

I’m not even a Mormon, and yet I look forward to and enjoy my monthly edition of the New Era. Your magazine helps me to see and reinforce values, standards, and morals that I never learned in my years of growing up as an orphan. My good friends the Wilsons, who live on a beautiful little ranch in John Day, Oregon, were kind enough to give me a subscription to the New Era and also show me the wealth of a strong family unit in a society where everyone is struggling for an identity. Before I met the Wilsons, I had a very stereotyped misconception of Mormon people. But the Wilsons showed me with their generosity, care, and sincerity what wonderful people Mormons are, and my monthly edition of the New Era only helps to enhance these impressions.

Yvonne Mary Pepin
John Day, Oregon

Standing tall

I wish to express our thanks for “Those Amazing Young Men” in the February New Era. It is an everyday occurrence to be stared at, talked about, and to receive all kinds of bad receptions. This article has made me smile and stand tall at all times of despair because I am proud to represent something that signifies a better way of life. I really enjoy reading the General Authorities’ inspired articles. The New Era helps begin each new day in many thought-provoking ways. Thanks for helping us to dedicate ourselves to the Lord’s work.

Elder Lynn G. Erickson
South Dakota Rapid City Mission

In love with loving

This month marks my year-and-a-half anniversary. Since Christmas 1974 I have been receiving the New Era every month, and I’ve enjoyed each issue thoroughly. A very dear friend gave me a subscription as a gift, and I’m so glad she did. It keeps my Christmas spirit alive each month, renewing my awareness that Christ lived and died and rose again as an expression of our Father’s love for us. It reminds me that this isn’t just for a day in December, but for every day, every month, and every year of our lives and the life hereafter. It also makes me happy to read about so many people who are in love with the idea of loving each other. Thank you for a wonderful magazine. Even though I’m not a Mormon, I can appreciate the love and thoughtfulness that go into every issue.

Barbara Lemke
Sacramento, California

Strength and guidance

Thank you for the articles “How to Gain a Testimony,” “Stephen,” and “Gold Mine” in the May New Era. I am a convert, and the stories and advice in the New Era help strengthen my testimony and guide me through my life.

Deborah Lynn Mayhew
Elizabeth City, North Carolina

How could you

How could you do this to me? After two long, hot hours in our family garden, I came in to cool off with some lemonade and happened to look at the June New Era. When I saw the cover, I would have given my left leg to be with the kids on the river. When I got to the story on their closing social, I was so green with envy I couldn’t stand it. Oh well, I guess I can always fill the tub with 38-degree water and imagine a lot.

Vicki Nielson
Lynndyl, Utah

Pressure to ponder

All good things come to an end, and so did May’s New Era. I was truly inspired by “Pondering Isn’t Preposterous.” I am a convert of almost two years, and I have recently been called to a stake position for which I feel rather inadequate. As I read “Pondering,” I realized that I could somewhat lessen my feelings of inadequacy by sincere scripture study. I hope you’ll print this letter in feedback so that if I ever convince myself there’s no time for pondering, I’ll see my letter in the New Era and remember that all its readers think I get up early every day to ponder the scriptures. Then I’ll feel obligated to live up to my reputation.

Mawra K. Crowe
Westtown, New York

The answer

As missionaries, we are daily committing our investigators to read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon so that they can gain a personal witness of its truthfulness. Many times they will ask, “What does it mean to ponder?” a question which I have often asked myself. “Pondering Isn’t Preposterous” in the May New Era answered the question.

Elder James E. Sands
Canada Vancouver Mission

Decidedly

“Deciding about Decisions” by Kieth Merrill in the June New Era was an exceptional article, and I find it very encouraging in many ways.

Julie Keene
Boulder, Colorado

To sunlight by my tears

The juxtaposition of “Gold Mine” by Stephen Farrance and “Stephen” about Stephen Farrance in the May New Era was profound. What we would like to be so often conflicts with what we are capable of being. As Steve in the first article, our fantasies are often similar to setting goals of discovering a gold mine or buying out Howard Hughes. In real life, however, this giant was not so shortsighted. I pray to God that I can be as insightful as Stephen Farrance was, discerning “the many blessings which I have to be thankful for,” and not be blinded to the sunlight by my tears.

Thomas Rue
Trenton, New Jersey

Slave auction

I suppose you think slavery is a thing of the past. Well, here’s proof that it isn’t. The elder on the right is Elder Scott Nelson, and I am the elder on the left. We are serving in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.

Elder Dan Evans
Australia Brisbane Mission

Interesting, informative, and short

I received my New Era subscription as a gift, and I am very glad. My May issue arrived today, and I especially like “A Fable.” Although it is about a group of Slabovian boys and two different cereals, it has a true meaning behind it. It shows what generally happens in life, usually in our teens. A new and dangerous product, such as a drug, comes out, and most people try it because it’s the thing to do. I like this story because it’s interesting, informative, and short. I have also enjoyed many stories in other issues, for instance, “The Trial of the Son of God” in the April issue. I also like the photos of the month because they show the true beauty of life.

Sparkle Kostelny
Willingdon, Alberta, Canada

Keep on going, New Era

Every time I read in feedback about old articles that people liked best, or about missionaries with their pile of New Eras left behind by previous missionaries, I grow envious of their good fortune in having the chance to read them all. I have decided to solve that problem by buying all the available back issues of the New Era and creating my own library. Now I will be able to find the articles that people say inspire them and those the missionaries love. Keep on going, New Era, because many of my friends, nonmembers like myself, love you too. I will be glad when the day comes that I can join this great work to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. New Era, no magazine can take your place.

Adriana Lillian Brown
Menlo Park, California

Making it worthwhile

I have to thank you for a couple of articles in the May New Era. The first one is “Soldiers of God” and the second is “A Fable.” In the military a person can set his standards any way he wants, but if he chooses to be different from everyone else, he is subject to ridicule by his peers. These articles helped make the sacrifice worthwhile.

PFC Roland L. Behunin
California